Ship Drift Model

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This model demonstrates how ocean surface currents function in transporting drifting objects on the ocean surface. A drifter is a buoyant object which remains near the surface of the ocean and is not influenced in movement by internal power but rather by the oceans currents.

When using this model, you could imagine dropping a corked bottle or a coconut into the ocean at a given location and observing where the object would end up as a result of surface currents.

Instructions

General Controls

Look at the bottom of the data visualizer. There are three options, 1. Latitude/longitude, 2. The month selection and 3. The Pop-up Map.

To find the latitude and longitude of a point on the map, roll the mouse over the map. The latitude and longitude for that point will appear in the box at the bottom of the currents map.

To view currents in greater detail, choose a month from the drop-down menu on the left, then click the Pop-up Map button on the right and a large, zoom able map will pop up in a separate window. The Pop-up map will be helpful in tracing surface current circulation.

To start your drifters voyage, move the computer mouse cursor over the ocean and click on the map. A second window with a map showing the tracks of five drifters will pop up.